“Never trust a skinny chef.” That’s always been one of my guidelines when it comes to eating out. Another guideline I try to stick by is, “Oh, what the hell. You only live once.” That’s usually my justification for ordering the country-fried steak that’s smothered in white gravy with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, because green beans are healthy.

Nutritionally speaking, I know what the country-fried steak is doing to my guts. I know this because I’m not dense, but for anyone out there who lacks common sense enough to realize the nutritional implications of what you put in your mouth from time to time, perhaps you should read the latest report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

This morning, the CSPI published both an article and instructional video exposing something everyone should already know by now. Meatballs are bad for you. This report, which also got some face time on CNN, is pointing the fickle finger of blame at two major Italian food chains, The Olive Garden and The Macaroni Grill, for not disclosing the caloric and fat content of their food.

The report is entitled “Belly-ssimo!” (wow, that’s hilarious), and it’s packed full of frustrations for an Italian guy like me. For example, here’s the opening line from the CSPI’s report, “Nothing’s more American than ‘Italian’ entrées like lasagna, ravioli, and spaghetti with meatballs.” What happened to apple pie and baseball?

Who writes this stuff?

For the CSPI to admonish restaurants like The Olive Garden for their unhealthy menu is a waste of time. I don’t want to cause any confusion and make it sound like I’m defending the Olive Garden. I’m not. The Olive Garden isn’t exactly the zenith of Italian cuisine. If my family ever caught me eating there, I’d be disowned.

But that’s not the point. According to Bonnie F. Liebman, the CSPI Nutrition Director, the consequences of eating all these dishes laden with cream sauce and cheese shouldn’t fall on the consumer. In today’s CNN story, Liebman said, “There’s no numbers on the menu that tell them they’re splurging. They may think they’re eating a healthy meal, and they’re not.”

I’m sorry, but if you can’t figure out on your own that a plate full of pasta and cream sauce isn’t health food, you’re probably the kind of person who still reads the directions on the backs of shampoo bottles.

According to Liebman, it’s the responsibility of the restaurants to clarify just how bad for you eating this stuff really is. I’m all for healthy eating, but can we please stop blaming restaurants for making unhealthy food, and start blaming people for choosing to eat it?

Does the CPSI think national chains like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill sell $3.4 billion worth of food every year because it helps people lose weight? Surely not. They sell that much food every year because garlic butter tastes awesome, and even if the nutritional content of their fare were printed all over the place, I’m sure it wouldn’t change anything.

The CPSI can kick and scream all they want about calories, but simply making restaurants publish nutritional information doesn’t guarantee they’ll read it, or even care about it if they do.

Italian food can be unhealthy by nature, and I’ll honestly say I’ve ever met anyone in my life who can look at a plate of meatballs swimming in meat sauce and say, “Oh, thank god. A light meal!” Why? Because a meatball is a ball of meat. What about that sounds healthy?

Nothing. But for plenty of people, it sounds delicious.

After all, freedom of choice is what this country is all about. And that’s more American than a glass of lemonade in Mayberry.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff

Do celebrities exploit their fame for sex? Magician David Copperfield, who regularly performs at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is reportedly under investigation by the FBI after a woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

Both the FBI and local authorities are being more tight-lipped about the details than a magician is with his secrets, but everyone can agree the situation became pretty serious when the FBI raided the magician’s Las Vegas warehouse and confiscated a computer hard drive, digital camera equipment, and $2 million in cash from his safe. Of all the things Copperfield can make disappear, I imagine this was not on the top of his list.

As of yet, the identity of the Seattle woman who accused Copperfield has not been revealed, which is a source of frustration for Copperfield and his representation, but authorities have divulged the alleged incident took place in the Bahamas. Copperfield had purchased a small group of islands there for $50 million.

In the meantime, other unsubstantiated rumors have begun to surface regarding the illusionist’s personal conduct when not on stage, and that he uses his show as a means to pick up women. According to TMZ.com, the King of all rumor mills, Copperfield has a history of soliciting them.

A woman from Atlanta interviewed with TMZ TV and claimed that Copperfield “made a move on her.” TMZ wrote, “If David likes a girl, he’ll use code words like ‘mama’ and ‘secrecy.’”

In order to put things into perspective, I’ve managed to land an interview with a credible source close to these developments. Given the nature of their position, this individual has asked to remain anonymous. I can respect that.

As far as the rumor of Copperfield using his show as a means to solicit women, here’s what our source had to say:

“Yes. I think he tries, but I’ve never actually heard of anything coming from it. I’ve heard him talking to his crew about a ‘secrecy agreement’, but I’ve never heard anyone say ‘mama.’ I’ve read stories where he takes girls backstage, but I have never seen that happen. I’ve never seen anyone backstage. No one is allowed backstage. There’s a side meeting room where he meets people, but it’s not private.”

As to the $2 million dollars that CNN reported the FBI seized from his warehouse, our source had something different to say:

“The FBI raided his warehouse, but as for the money, there wasn’t any. I have no idea where that part came from. It never happened.”

Copperfield also had an upcoming tour in Asia that has been postponed. According to official statements from Copperfield’s lawyer David Chesnoff, the tour was postponed because Asian promoters breached contract.

“I can’t say 100% that’s the case,” our source said. “The timing is too convenient. This tour was planned months ago. Copperfield has a huge crew and a lot of gear to ship over there. There’s a lot that goes into planning those shows. You have to make sure everyone has passports, accommodations, etc., and to just call it at the last minute over promotion issues never happens. That’s something you see coming.”

Copperfield’s attorney now says that he is staying behind to help with the investigation. In a strange twist, the San Francisco Chronicle reported those same Asian promoters are now suing Copperfield for $3 million claiming, eerily, breach of contract.

Keep in mind that pending further developments the majority of this story is still conjecture, but with allegations and lawsuits on this illusionists hands, one thing is for sure . . .

He’s not holding any of the cards.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff.

It wasn’t long ago a nation of sports fans felt sorry for the Red Sox. No more. Now, in the span of just four seasons, the Sox have won their second World Series victory in a sweep that made the Colorado Rockies look like rank amateurs.

But the Red Sox are just the beginning of a long list of reasons for Boston sports fans to get worked up. The Patriots are one of only two undefeated NFL teams and this week’s Sports Illustrated cover sings the praises of the Celtics, the “brand-new Green Machine.” Boston College maintains a #2 ranking in the BCS college football polls. The Bruins are putting together a respectable hockey season. There’s no road race in the world that compares to the Boston Marathon. And even professional soccer fans have something to cheer about: The New England Revolution is a strong contender in the MLS playoffs.

Boston has become more than a city of seafood and history lovers. It’s become a city of sports fanatics. Trouble is, it’s tough to score a ticket when the teams are this good. If you strike out, try watching the city’s favorite events with 100 other fanatics at one of Boston’s favorite sports bars.

“Cheers!” the Bull & Finch. Boston’s best-known bar, Cheers! was originally the Bull & Finch and later gained fame as the bar it portrayed on TV. Cheers! is open daily, with all the best sports events on 10 DirecTVs. www.cheersboston.com

The Fours Restaurant & Bar. Named for Number 4, Bobby Orr, legendary Boston Bruins player from 1966-76, the Fours was named the Best Sports Bar in America by Sports Illustrated in 2005. www.thefours.com.

Coolidge Corner Clubhouse. Check out the baseball cards at the bar, then settle in front of a TV with a Larry Bird (ham, turkey and Swiss sandwich) or a Bill Lee (a burger topped with ‘kraut, Russian dressing and Swiss). Down it all with one of 30 draught beers. 307A-309 Harvard St., Brookline

Champions Sports Bar. Tons of sports memorabilia cover the walls of Champions, where hotel guests rub shoulders with the locals to watch events on one of 22 TVs. Don’t even think about going if you can’t root for the Sox or the Patriots. Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston.

Cask’N Flagon. Red Sox memorabilia covers the walls, and all the sports action plays on 6-foot projector televisions. Drinks are served at a 100-foot bar, and a dance floor and DJ-booth entertain those who don’t give a damn about the game. 62 Brookline Avenue, Boston.

–Amy S. Eckert, RED Travel Writer

There’ve been plenty of things written about this NBA season, and after reading some of it, I can’t really say I’m filled with hope.

Let’s face it. The NBA’s image isn’t anywhere near as squeaky as its court floors are. Some can deal with it, some can’t, but even if you’re the type of person who decides to ignore all the drama and litigation that has haunted the NBA with more tenacity than a phantom haunts an opera house, you still have to admit that things aren’t getting off to a happy start.

The good news you’ve already heard. Apparently, if a person wants to win a professional sports championship all they have to do is move to Boston. The Patriots, like The Black Pearl, are nigh uncatchable. The Red Sox just won another Series, Boston College is ranked second in the BCS, and the Celtics have made one of the biggest off-season transactions of the year that could get them from zero to hero right out of the gate.

Now the bad news. Denver’s J.R. Smith has been accused of assault, and New Jersey’s Jason Kidd is already facing allegations of groping women. Sacramento’s Justin Williams is facing charges of sexual assault against a woman that isn’t his girlfriend, even though his girlfriend was there but not really involved. Figure that one out for yourself and get back to me.

The Seattle SuperSonics and owner Clay Bennett are largely expected to have the same season they did last year (insert adjective here), only Bennett will be spending the majority of his time finding a way to avoid getting sued by Sonics fans. Yes. Sonics fans are literally suing Clay Bennett, but it’s in response to Bennett’s original legal battle to escape the last two years of his lease so he can move the team. It’s complicated. Basically, Seattle and the Sonics are both sued.

Then there’s Isiah Thomas and the Knicks. During the off-season Isiah was found guilty of sexual harassment charges, and as part of the sentence, Madison Square Garden is obligated to pay out $11.6 million. This one isn’t over either. Thomas and The Garden are appealing the sentence. Hopefully he’ll still have the time to figure out a way to get the Kicks to the playoffs. The Knicks haven’t had a winning season since 2001.

But enough about the players, let’s move on to the referees.

Just when it looked like David Stern had managed to straighten out all the wrinkles with this Tim Donaghy gambling snafu, news surfaced that linked about half of the NBA’s 52 refs to “illegal” gambling. I say “illegal” because the restrictions are pretty strict, but they don’t really affect the game at all.

It’s minor stuff. Refs can get fined for just standing in a casino, and technically even betting 20 bucks on a game of flag football in your back yard is a no-no. So Commissioner Stern decided to change the rules and allow gambling on the little things while simultaneously hiring betting experts to scrupulously analyze statistics and betting odds to detect if something is rotten. It’s also a great way to not deal with gambling problems.

Stern isn’t worried about the credibility of the NBA, and I suppose he has a point. I really do think the game is credible, and I really do think it’s fun. It’s the image that’s a problem—no mater how many dress codes Commissioner Stern imposes.

Keep your finger crossed. Tip-off is in eight hours.

–Joey Alfino, Red Editorial Staff

If you’re having trouble understanding why other nationalities sometimes harbor resentment towards Americans, take a look at last Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes. French President Nicolas Sarkozy walked out of an interview with CBS’s Leslie Stahl after Stahl asked Sarkozy a personal question about his estranged marriage.

Digging for that kind of personal journalistic dirt might work with domestic celebrities, but it makes for some pretty crumby foreign relations. That’s why I don’t have a lot of sympathy for Leslie Stahl over this one. She deserved to lose that interview.

If you watch the footage, you’ll see before the interview even started Sarkozy was pretty keyed up. In fact, he didn’t even want to be there. Sarkozy admonished his press secretary for scheduling the time with 60 Minutes, calling him an “imbecile,” and then saying to the CBS crew, “I don’t have the time. I have a big job to do. I’m not angry, I’m in a hurry.”

I imagine so. October hasn’t exactly been a banner month for Sarkozy. A few weeks ago he experienced his first major labor strike over reforms he wants to bring to France–on top of his already highly publicized marital issues.

So when some semi-important journalist clogs up his busy schedule with an interview for American television and asks him, essentially, “What’s the deal with your wife,” who can blame him for wanting nothing to do with it?

Maybe Sarkozy was under the impression the interview would be a little more serious. Maybe he thought the subject matter would revolve around the labor strikes, or his vision to “modernize” France, or his plans to strengthen Franco-American relations (remember the “freedom fry?”).

But it wasn’t. Instead, Leslie Stahl defaulted to a purely American genre of journalism by going for the gossip, which is a prime example of French and American cultural differences. Despite what the French people might think of Sarkozy, and there are more than a few who don’t like him, there is a general belief in French society that an individual’s personal life has no bearing on their ability to perform a job.

Try feeding a line like that to the American media and see how long it takes them to laugh in your face.

At the end of the day, though, what agitated me the most about this story was Leslie Stahl’s reaction to Sarkozy’s departure. While Sarkozy was leaving, Stahl said, “What was unfair?”

Hopefully by now she’s figured it out. Maybe the next time she manages to get an interview with the President of a foreign country, the first thing she’ll do, aside from a little cultural research to learn what is and is not socially acceptable, will be to come up with questions that have more to do with politics than who’s in that President’s bed at night.

Save that other stuff for Britney Spears.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that over half of his 56 referees were involved with gambling.  To ensure he never has to deal with this problem again, Stern decided to change the rules and allow them all to do it.

Did you know The University of Kansas has a football team?  Yeah.  Neither does the media.

Here’s what I don’t understand about college ranking systems:  College basketball season hasn’t even started yet, and USA Today already published their top 25 poll. The 2009 top 25 polls should be out by Monday.

ESPN ran an article last week about NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Paul Menard calling each other names.  Stewart was all like,  “Menard buys success,” and then Menard was all like, “Stewart needs to grow up.”  They’re both grounded for a month, and their mall privileges have been taken way.

The Boston Bruins moved the start of this Saturday’s home game by three hours to avoid confliction with game 3 of the World Series because there is nothing more important to a baseball fan than watching hockey before baseball.

One of the biggest stories in U.S. soccer headlines is that David Beckham isn’t in them.

According to some boxing critics, fighters these days will do anything they can to avoid getting hurt in the ring except for actually getting in the ring.  What kind of a boxer is afraid of getting hit in the face?  Oh yeah.  A bad one.

Tennis player Nikolay Davydenko was fined $2,000 by the ATP for “not trying hard enough.” Davydenko said, “I was so upset with the whole thing I started crying.”  That should cost him another $3,000 for whining.

If the Boston Red Sox keep on winning like this, they’re gonna figure out what it feels like to be the Yankees.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff

Bavarians love their hometown automaker. And with the recent unveiling of the new BMW World, it’s clear that Müncheners expect the rest of the world agrees.

BMW World occupies a fluid, metallic, double-cone structure sure to become one of the world’s most memorable architectural feats—perhaps only fitting, considering the classic 1972 4-Cylinder Building next door. Built to mimic a 4-cylinder engine, BMW’s administration and style center already ranks among the world’s most recognized buildings.

But if the 4-Cylinder Building represents the German automaker’s nerve center, BMW World represents its soul. The complex serves as a massive showcase for BMW’s entire product line. Every model currently manufactured by BMW finds its place at BMW World, from the most affordable sedans to its sexiest, most expensive luxury cars, race cars and motorcycles.

Visitors can enjoy a virtual test drive at kiosks within the building. Four restaurants offer everything from a quick snack to Munich’s finest Bavarian and international entrées with indoor and terrace seating overlooking nearby Olympia Park. Souvenir BMW logo wear, like caps and shirts, as well as automotive and design books and magazines line the shelves of the BMW World Shop—the only site within the complex where BMW actually sells its products. And regular special events such as Jazz Weeks, performances by the Berlin Philharmonic and Advent concerts draw visitors back even after they’ve become familiar with the newest line of cars.

BMW will soon complete its Munich triad when the BMW Museum opens in April 2008. Located within its own architecturally striking building, the museum’s most unique exterior feature is a giant BMW rooftop logo, visible only from the air. Inside, displays will cover the range of BMW products, including the automaker’s first cars, its unusual 1950s Isettas and a complete range of motorcycles.

BMW World opened its doors on Oct. 20. For more information about BMW World, including its opening hours and location, visit www.bmw-welt.com.

–Amy Eckert, RED Travel Writer

In the ongoing war to win London over with American sports, the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins are gearing up to play what would otherwise be an entirely forgettable game if it weren’t at Wembley. Just like the NHL’s excursion across the pond not to long ago, after this NFL game is over I’m sure it’s going to be difficult for anyone to know for sure if it was a success or not.

I have to admit this whole idea of parading a regular season game in front of a British audience confuses me. Maybe I just can’t wrap my head around business strategies, but if the point of this excursion is to solidify a European fan base for American football, why is the NFL trying this stunt only months after they pulled the plug on NFL Europe?

According to Mark Waller, senior VP of sales and marketing and a UK native, it all has to do with player caliber, talent, spectacle, and first-rate football. Those are the things international fans are after, and that’s why NFL Europe went belly up.

Is that why the 0-7 Dolphins are in this historic game? To represent the cream of the crop? It also must be why there’s a 26-foot tall animated robot of Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor in Trafalgar Square right now.

Incidentally, I wish the NFL had drawn the line at an oversized robot. That’s the kind of thing you see in events that are supposed to be comical, like the circus . . . or an Iron Maiden concert.

Anyway, in the long run the NFL and Mark Waller even have aspirations of this game being the first step towards having NFL teams rooted in another country, and Commissioner Goodell is even open to holding the Super Bowl abroad.

What a pipe dream that is.

I have a lot of respect for the NFL. It’s a great game, but this brings me back to my point about the recently debunked NFL Europe. People can speculate how football failed in Europe because it wasn’t the “real deal,” but those European teams were still playing football. In order for the game to catch on, the fans overseas will actually have to love and understand the game first. As it stands now, they might know the names but they don’t know the game.

If NFL Europe was any indication, this plan is destined for failure.

Those in favor of extending the NFL to Europe support their points by calling it global expansion, and that is always a good thing for business. Dolphins team president Brain Wiedmeier says, “From an ownership standpoint, we all realize that as popular as the NFL is, the globe really is shrinking.”

The gist here is that technology will make global participation and ownership of NFL teams possible, but I just don’t see it working out that way.

Sure, technological advancements make it easier to stay abreast of what is going on in the world, but that only makes the planet SEEM smaller. Physically, the Earth isn’t shrinking. The distance from New York to London isn’t going to change, and that’s why creating an NFL team overseas just isn’t feasible.

How do you schedule that?

It might not be that much of a stretch for a London team to play in New York on a weekend, but what about Arizona? What about Colorado? What if an overseas based team has two away games in a row against Atlanta and then Denver? Would they even bother flying home?

I’m not opposed to globalizing football at all, but if it’s going to happen, if this game is truly going to turn into a world sport, I think we should let other countries cultivate their own leagues and then incorporate a schedule. What’s wrong with having America’s best football team playing Europe’s best football team in what can honestly be called the “World Bowl”?

Hey, if the Commissioner can have pipe dreams, why can’t I?

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff

Gold is the only metal in the world people die for, but never die from. It’s so rare, so doted upon, that most people often forget what finding it takes. But with modern society’s interest in a healthier and cleaner environment mushrooming at an alarming rate, knowing where that tennis bracelet came from is becoming important to people.

This, in turn, is bringing attention to the mining industry and the impact its operations are having on the environment. For a very, very long time, the mining of hardrock minerals like gold, silver, and copper have managed to avoid any sort of modernized legislation with respect to its environmental impact—and when I say a long time, I mean 135 years.

The last time any sort of mining laws were enacted upon hardrock mining was 1872, and it was a steal of a deal even back then. The General Mining Law of 1872 wasn’t drafted for the purpose of Federal monetary gain at all. It was drafted as means to promote development of western lands, which at the time weren’t the safest place to be.

In order to sweeten the pot a little, the government offered lands to mining corporations at $2.50 to $5.00 per acre in addition to waiving royalties on all extracted minerals.

Since that law was passed, Colorado was admitted to the Union, the telephone was invented, the Spanish-American War came and went, Picasso invented Cubism, two World Wars occurred, we put a man on the moon, and mining companies have caused $32 billion dollars of damage to the environment.

To this day, mining companies still pay $2.50 to $3.00 per acre and are still exempt from paying royalties.

But the House Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia are looking to bring this industry into the present and hold them financially accountable for their own actions.

Think of it as a really huge late fee on a really overdue library book.

According to the bill and figures published at Time.com, the bill would require new mining operations to pay an 8% royalty to the government, and established operations would pay 4%. This money would then be used to clean up the mess mining has left in its wake.

Not surprisingly, the mining industry is fighting this. Luke Popovich, spokesman for the National Mining Association, believes the royalties are unfair and “unacceptable to us.” On the National Mining Association’s website (www.nma.org), president and CEO Kraig R. Naasz said that some mining corporations “were not designed to bear this cost.”

Well, that’s a little shifty—especially in the case of gold mining. I can understand Mr. Naasz’s legal obligation to protect the profits of his industry, but it’s not like this whole operation hasn’t been getting a free ride for, oh, say, 135 years.

Here’s a comparison. It’s like a college kid getting free cable. He knows the rates are going up, he knows something is wrong, but no one seems to be saying anything, so why ruin a sweet deal, right?

That kind of logic might work in your first apartment, but it’s a little hard to sympathize with an operation that has been exempt from the steady march of time for over a century, accidentally or not.

Especially in the case of gold mining, which is a finite business to begin with. It’s one of the scarcest metals on the planet, and eventually it’s going to run out. Then the gold mining industry is going to be belly-up no matter how big the royalties get. If the mining companies had ever read any Robert Frost they would know that.

Nothing gold can stay, you know.

–Joey Alfino, Red Editorial Staff

Detroit isn’t anywhere near Colorado, but anybody who has anything to say about this year’s World Series will more than likely mention the eight-day break that Colorado has before game one within the first 60 seconds of discussion. They’ll say things like, “It’s unheard of” or, “It’s unnatural” before comparing it to the Tigers’ loss last year after having six days off before game one.

This is where I part ways with the labyrinth of baseball statistics. Having such an extended period of time off before the big dance isn’t going to help Colorado, but I draw the line at any implication the Rockies have anything to do with last years Tigers. It proves nothing.

Some doubt the Rockies chances based solely on last year’s Detroit team and the comparison of off-days each team had, but that logic is the first stage in the classic “post hoc” fallacy.

The Rockies have nothing, and I mean nothing, to do with the ’06 Tigers. How Colorado plays against Boston this Wednesday at Fenway is going to have more to do with Josh Beckett and the first 5 innings than anything else.

Beckett lost his playoff legs for a while there, but he’s managed to find them again. If I were the Rockies I would be worrying about him, and just because I’ve had 8 days off means I’ve had 8 days to worry.

Beckett ranks first in the AL with 20 wins, and he’s second in winning percentage with .741. Here’s the point: The Rockies are an amazing team and have everything they need to beat the Red Sox. But they won’t win game one—and no amount of time off would matter when you’re facing someone as hot as Beckett is right now.

The rest of the series? Well. That’s another matter. Francona is without doubt making the right call by giving Shilling the start in game two. But, if you believe the Rockies are going to be “rusty,” like I’ve heard so many say will happen in game one, then you also have to acknowledge that by game two the rust will be gone.

Schilling might suddenly find himself pitching against a Rockies team he hasn’t had the best of luck against in the past.

Game two is going to be the lynch pin for the Rockies. If Colorado can pick that one up and head back to Coors field with the Series tied 1-1, they have a shot to sweep at home.

Boston doesn’t play defense as well as the Rockies do, especially in Coors Field–something I highly doubt will suddenly change.

If the Rockies want to pull this one off, they can’t afford to let Boston force game six. Don’t think it’s impossible, either. The Rockies might have had a lot of days off going into the World Series, but they’ve won a heck of a lot more games going in.

I just don’t think eight days off is enough to kill the momentum of 21 wins.

–Joey Alfino, RED Editorial Staff